Work to begin next week on replacing bridge at I-20, U.S. 84

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Abilene District will begin a project next week to replace the U.S. Highway 84 eastbound overpass at Interstate 20 in Nolan County.

The overpass was severely damaged after it was hit by a tractor-trailer rig in late September and was demolished in November to allow for a replacement.

The construction will require some daytime closures of the main lanes on westbound I-20 for setting beams and pouring the bridge deck, according to a TxDOT news release.

Drivers should follow detour signs and directions during the brief closures. U.S. 84 traffic headed to eastbound I-20 should continue to follow the detour that has been in place for several months.

The new structure will be a one-span bridge with retaining walls, said Big Spring Area Engineer Jesse Mendoza, who is overseeing the project. The overpass, which will allow traffic to merge into the left eastbound lane like the old bridge, is expected to be finished and open to traffic within four months.

J.H. Strain and Sons Inc. of Tye is building the overpass project for about $1.6 million.